PhD Residency - Battery Materials Discovery

  • $125k-$135k
  • Remote - United States

Remote

Data

Mid-level

Job description

About SandboxAQ

SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world’s greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors.

We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors and supported by a braintrust of industry leaders.

At SandboxAQ, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and impact. By investing deeply in our people, we’re building a thriving, global workforce poised to tackle the world’s epic challenges. Join us to advance your career in pursuit of an inspiring mission, in a community of like-minded people who value entrepreneurialism, ownership, and transformative impact.

Residencies at SandboxAQ

The SandboxAQ Residency Program is an excellent, paid opportunity for graduate students to have industrial impact. Residents work within all of the teams at SandboxAQ on a variety of projects, and each have a unique experience depending on the work their team is focused on, as well as their own interests, skills, and goals. During their time with the program, we encourage residents to contribute to publications, attend conferences, and pursue their professional development. In addition to technical work, community is very important to us and we provide space and events to network and socialize with others in the program, as well as the SandboxAQ community as a whole.

About the Role

Our team is searching for a creative and agile researcher who thrives at rapid iteration between ambitious ideas in machine learning-driven materials discovery. The ideal candidate can swiftly prototype and test high-risk, high-reward hypotheses, with the aim of advancing the limits of next-generation energy storage.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct large-scale synthetic data generation campaigns using simulation tools (DFT, MD, physics-based models) to study energy storage phenomena like interfacial stability, ion transport, and degradation.
  • Train and implement machine learning interatomic potentials to predict battery material properties.
  • Remain up to speed with emerging AI techniques, adapting external advancements to the materials science domain as appropriate.
  • Rapidly iterate on machine learning solutions, demonstrating the ability to pivot and adapt methodologies as research challenges evolve.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams of engineers, scientists, and domain experts to innovate, refine, or develop cutting-edge ideas and algorithms.
  • Publish findings in high-impact journals and present at conferences.

Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computational Science, or related fields.
  • Experience performing density functional theory and/or molecular dynamics simulations for energy storage applications.
  • Extensive experience training/tuning machine learning interatomic potentials and performing large scale inference campaigns.
  • Fluency with Python, Linux, and relevant scientific computing libraries (e.g., ASE, Pymatgen, Scikit-learn, PyTorch).
  • Proven ability in designing and managing sophisticated computational chemistry data pipelines, particularly across large-scale compute resources (GPU/CPU clusters).
  • Preferred candidates have domain knowledge in battery materials, particularly for lithium-ion and other cell chemistries (e.g., cathodes, anodes, electrolytes).
  • Strong research track record, evidenced by high-impact publications or relevant project contributions.

Other Details

  • Start date: Year-round, on a rolling basis
  • Duration: flexible

The US base salary range for this full-time position is expected to be $125k - $135k per year. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses and equity.

SandboxAQ welcomes all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where we have zero tolerance for discrimination. We invest in our employees’ personal and professional growth. Once you work with us, you can’t go back to normalcy because great breakthroughs come from great teams and we are the best in AI and quantum technology.

We offer competitive salaries, stock options depending on employment type, generous learning opportunities, medical/dental/vision, family planning/fertility, PTO (summer and winter breaks), financial wellness resources, 401(k) plans, and more.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.

Accommodations: We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in job application procedures for open roles. If you need such an accommodation, please let a member of our Recruiting team know.

Share this job:
Please let SandboxAQ know you found this job on Remote First Jobs 🙏

Benefits of using Remote First Jobs

Discover Hidden Jobs

Unique jobs you won't find on other job boards.

Advanced Filters

Filter by category, benefits, seniority, and more.

Priority Job Alerts

Get timely alerts for new job openings every day.

Manage Your Job Hunt

Save jobs you like and keep a simple list of your applications.

Search remote, work from home, 100% online jobs

We help you connect with top remote-first companies.

Search jobs

Hiring remote talent? Post a job

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Remote First Jobs different from other job boards?

Unlike other job boards that only show jobs from companies that pay to post, we actively scan over 20,000 companies to find remote positions. This means you get access to thousands more jobs, including ones from companies that don't typically post on traditional job boards. Our platform is dedicated to fully remote positions, focusing on companies that have adopted remote work as their standard practice.

How often are new jobs added?

New jobs are constantly being added as our system checks company websites every day. We process thousands of jobs daily to ensure you have access to the most up-to-date remote job listings. Our algorithms scan over 20,000 different sources daily, adding jobs to the board the moment they appear.

Can I trust the job listings on Remote First Jobs?

Yes! We verify all job listings and companies to ensure they're legitimate. Our system automatically filters out spam, junk, and fake jobs to ensure you only see real remote opportunities.

Can I suggest companies to be added to your search?

Yes! We're always looking to expand our listings and appreciate suggestions from our community. If you know of companies offering remote positions that should be included in our search, please let us know. We actively work to increase our coverage of remote job opportunities.

How do I apply for jobs?

When you find a job you're interested in, simply click the 'Apply Now' button on the job listing. This will take you directly to the company's application page. We kindly ask you to mention that you found the position through Remote First Jobs when applying, as it helps us grow and improve our service 🙏

Apply now